ZOREN: Moyer ready to play ball in broadcast booth

Photo courtesy of Miles Kennedy/Phillies
Former Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer, right, and former Phillies outfielder/first baseman/pinch hitter Matt Stairs, left, join Tom McCarthy, second from left, and Gregg Murphy, second from right, on the Comcast SportsNet broadcasting team for the 2014 season.

Spring may have taken its time arriving, but the Phillies season is beginning on cue with today’s opening game against the Texas Rangers at 2 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet (CSN).

Though not much has changed for the Phillies on the field, two rookies are joining veteran Tom McCarthy in the television broadcast booth: Premier pinch hitter Matt Stairs, whose mighty swing helped the Phils to a World Series berth in 2008, and longtime pitcher Jamie Moyer, who outsmarted opposing hitters for more than 20 major league seasons.

Moyer, in a telephone conversation from the Phillies’ spring training complex in Florida, said he has been a rookie before and doesn’t find the newness of announcing a baseball game “a big deal,” while adding that all he has learned about broadcasting is “an eye-opener.”

Moyer said he did not expect to be in a broadcasting booth following his baseball career, but that he is enjoying the opportunity and the education he is receiving from McCarthy, “who walks me through all of details that are part of calling a game.”

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“As a commentator,” Moyer said,” I have to take in the big picture and connect all of the dots for the people watching the game at home. One of the things I’m learning is to how to express myself and say exactly what I intend. I want to build a reputation as a knowledgeable announcer who can talk about the game and what might be going through a player’s mind while having fun and keeping everything in perspective.

“For instance, in talking about a play, I may have to say a player did not follow the fundamentals of baseball,” Moyer continued. “In a recent game, a ball was dropped because the player who called for it didn’t get to it in time, and the other infielders backed off thinking the ball was his. An infielder may be clearer about calling for a pop or giving way to someone who might have a better chance of catching it. If something happens in a way that isn’t supposed to happen, I want to explain it and say what it means in the long run. To a pitcher, the pop-up that isn’t caught means getting an out he already should have had. It also means a runner on base that shouldn’t be there.

“I want to explain all of this without casting blame or being critical,” Moyer said. “A season lasts 162 games. An infielder makes hundreds of plays, and you want him to be aggressive in going after balls in play. A pitcher has to shake off the error and contend with the situation at hand. From being a player, I understand this. I also understand the sensitivities of various players, but know that you can’t judge anything by one play, one game, or even one series. That’s what I mean by the big picture. I want to cover all of the factors on a play or an inning, but I don’t want to overstate, and I want to be positive.

“I understand the playing side. Everybody in a clubhouse is different,” Moyer continued. “Some younger guys looks to veterans the way I look to Tom (McCarthy). Everyone trains differently, approaches a game differently, and relaxes differently. You have 25 personalities that have to play as a unit but do everything else as individuals. There’s no right or wrong way to go about things. As a player, you look for the blend. As a broadcaster, you do the same thing. You think about how all of these approaches will mix comfortably and form into a team. The discipline is taking what you know and bringing it to the fans in a way that is fair, informative, and entertaining. I’ll tell you one big difference. As a player, I had complete access to the clubhouse and talked to people freely. As a broadcaster, my access is limited. Talk is still free-wheeling, it has a different feel when you are seeking information you may want to report in a broadcast.”

Another thing Moyer said he has to learn about is social media.

“I was never a Twitter guy,” Moyer quipped, but he added that engagement with the fans is important, and he will learn Twitter and Facebook to keep up with that part of his job.

Moyer grew up in Souderton, Montgomery County, as a Phillies fan. He remembers all he learned about the game from Harry Kalas, Richie Ashburn, and Andy Musser.

“They taught me about baseball, and they spoke on my level,” Moyer said. “The audience for a Phillies game ranges from small children to grandfathers who saw players and remember a 16-team league that are before my time. I need to speak to that entire audience and relate to them. Whitey and Harry related by talking about more than baseball. Tom, Murph (Gregg Murphy), Matt, and I are going to do that as well. We’ll cover the game and report all that happens and how it affects the big picture. We will talk about how Ben Revere may be able to catch a ball that would not be in John Mayberry’s range, but our purpose is not to put down John or boost Ben but to put the dynamics of the game in perspective. We may also mention how Ben might make an occasional error because his speed allows him to catch up with more flies. Some may go off the end of his glove, but no one else could have come near the fly. See what I mean. Each player has different talents, and each play he makes has to be put into focus from the largest perspective.”

Moyer is a realist. He said he loves the opportunity Comcast has given him and enjoys his time in the booth, but he also knows this season will let him know whether he wants to be a broadcaster for the long haul and whether Comcast will like him in the role. He acknowledges the esteem he and the Phillies audience have for Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews, whom he and Stairs replaced.

“I am open to all that may happen,” Moyer said. “In spring training, I learned I love talking about baseball and have things to say. I want to be informative while having fun, to give the audience perspective about baseball while entertaining the young and old in it. I believe I can do that and have a great year in the booth.”

Moyer lives in California, where his family is settled and his children have their friends. He said he will consider a move to the Philadelphia area when he can see what the long-range future may be. He continues as the founder and head of the Moyer Foundation, which has offices in Seattle and Philadelphia.

Glenolden’s McLaughlin has ‘The Voice’

The chair turned fast when Blake Shelton heard Glenolden native Audra McLaughlin sing Bonnie Raitt’s “Angel from Montgomery,” a tune that was made famous by Shelton’s wife, Miranda Lambert. He and his rival on NBC’s “The Voice,” Adam Levine, had a tussle for which would enlist McLaughlin, but looking to be a country singer, Audra chose Team Blake. She has been holding her own for Blake and “The Voice” audience ever since.

McLaughlin, whose parents, Joan and Patrick root for her from Glenolden, started singing when she joined the chorus and choir of Glenolden School and Interboro High School.

She said by telephone from the “Voice” studio in Los Angeles, that she became serious about singing when she was 13 and began taking lessons from Melissa Daley. She said participating in the Media Theatre’s “Delco Idol” program taught her a lot about live performance and how to position oneself in a competitive situation.

In the midst of performing and playing the guitar, McLaughlin began writing songs and realized they were of a country style. She said she prefers uplifting songs and that her impetus to write was fueled by the bullying she experienced as she fought to conquer a learning disability. As would be expected, Audra said being on “The Voice” is incredible.

“Preparing for matches when you have to sing against someone you have gotten to know and whose work you love and respect is difficult,”McLaughlin said. “But I’ve learned to do my own rendition and compete by giving a song my all and not worrying about what the other singer is doing. Of course, working with Blake is amazing. Getting advice from him makes so much of a difference. He is so clear and so generous. He is constantly encouraging me to stay focused and helps so much with his feedback. Mostly, he helps me to stay confident and true to what I intend. He is an amazing coach. He is extremely talented, but he takes the time to teach others and build your talent. I am so lucky to be working with him and to be a part of Team Blake.

“I have always sung,” McLaughlin continued. “I realized how much singing meant to me at age 7 and began taking lessons when I was 12 or 13. Singing was not only enjoyable. It was a way for me to have pride and confidence. I had learning disability, AAHD, and was in special education classes throughout my school years. That led to a lot of being bullied. I was called names I don’t want to repeat because they don’t apply. Children can be cruel. Once I conquered my disability, I attended Delaware County Community College and held a 3.5 GPA. But I had to get through the taunts and the constant verbal abuse when I was in high school. I poured my emotions into songs that definitely were country in style.”

Audra said she is grateful to Daley and to the Media Theatre, because during “Delco Idol,” Jesse Cline helped teach her stage presence and what she had to do to bring a song to an audience. She said this helps her on “The Voice.”

Audra said she hopes “The Voice” will lead to a recording contract and that she looks forward to sharing her music with the public. She said she will also be an outspoken advocate against bullying and will support organizations that help people cope with it.

Jones bids farewell

Tears are universal at the idea that Sheinelle Jones has made her last appearance as host of Channel 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia.” Jones relinquished her four-year stint with the show and her career at Fox Philly to spend more time with her husand, Uche Ojeh, and their children, Clara, Uche, and Christian.

Jones’s departure causes a definite void. Curious and conversational, she could deliver the news while holding lively chats, displaying a sense of humor, and being one of the best time managers on television. Her relationship with all of her colleagues was warm, but her goodbye to co-host Mike Jerrick, compete with verses from “For Good” from “Wicked” and tears, was heartfelt and showed the reality Jones and Jerrick conveyed each morning on “Good Day.”

No replacement has been appointed to fill Jones’ chair. Karen Hepp will step in, of course. Channel 29 is planning a spate of guest hosts, including Wendy Williams, Deborah Norville, Marc Summers, and Kathy Romano of WMMR (93.3 FM).

A spokesperson said no guest appearances have been scheduled. They will be “a surprise.”